Jimi Hendrix Encyclopedia

Did you see Jimi Hendrix in concert? Did you meet Jimi Hendrix or have the opportunity to interview him or have some other unique, first-person encounter with Jimi Hendrix? If so, Experience Hendrix wants to hear from you.

Popular Tags

Search Results

November 17, 1969

Joined by Billy Cox, Hendrix and Miles returned to the Record Plant studios in New York City to continue work on several new tracks including “Room Full Of Mirrors,” “Stepping Stone,” and “Ezy Rider.” Second engineer Tom Erdelyi recalls additional recordings being worked on including “Izabella,” “Machine Gun,” “Dolly Dagger,” and “Message To Love.” During this session, Hendrix brought in Albert and Arthur Allen (the Ghetto Fighters) to provide backing vocals for “Room Full Of Mirrors.” The basic track of “Room Full Of Mirrors” is the foundation for the recording heard on 1997’s First Ray s Of The New Rising Sun (Experience Hendrix/ MCA, 11599). Afterwards, Hendrix and the Allen twins visited Studio B where Mountain was recording their latest hit, “Mississippi Queen.” Thrilled by the chance meeting, Hendrix invited Leslie West back to his studio for a jam.

Back at the Record Plant several spirited recordings were put to tape this evening, including six takes of Buddy Miles signature track, “Them Changes” plus a dozen meandering takes of “Burning Desire.” Hendrix was troubled by the tone of his guitar, resulting in few memorable highlights from the night’s session. Despite some technical problems the group continued recording, pressing through two takes of “Lover Man,” described here as “Here Comes Your Lover Man,” plus three lack-luster renditions of “Hear My Train A Comin’.” Prior to the session collapsing, Hendrix returned the group to “Burning Desire” and “Them Changes,” both of which were met with genuine disinterest.

Overcoming the lagging spirits of the previous night, Alan Douglas and Stefan Bright brought Tony Bongiovi back into the control room as engineer to help spur on Hendrix’s musical style. As intended, Hendrix lead the group through a high-spirited session of recordings including nineteen takes of “Izabella” of which takes 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, 16, and 19 were tagged ‘complete.’ After a quick change of tape reels, one final take the 20th of “Izabella” was put to tape and flagged as the basic track. With the success of “Izabella” filling the studio air, the group turned to “Burning Desire” although none of the 24 takes featured the emotional intensity of the later. The marathon session continued with additional recordings of “Machine Gun” the fourth and final take was marked complete. Afterwards Hendrix guided the session through 24 takes (without vocals) of “Power Of Soul” which he then described as “Paper Airplanes.”

It is unknown to what nature a session took place on this evening. However, a single quarter-inch, two-track recording was made, likely the source from a session as Baggy’s rehearsal studios. The only reference point is that of a notation of the tape box “Buddy Miles/Billy Cox.”